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Health and Safety Code 11378 HS -- Possession of Methamphetamines for Sale Health and Safety Code 11378 HS California's law against possession of methamphetamines for sale prohibits just that...possessing meth with the intent to sell it. But just like HS 11377 above, Health and Safety Code 11378 applies to additional controlled substances as well. California State Law is Violated when: possess crystal meth, know that you possess crystal meth, know it is a controlled substance.

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How to Tell if Your Child Is Involved in a Gang
The increase in gang-related violence reinforces the need for parents to know where their children are, who they are with, and what they are doing.

Signs of Gang Involvement
How can you tell if your child is involved in a gang? Here are some early warning signs parents can look for:

School attendance and performance decline.

They change friends and you never meet their new friends.

They get into trouble with the law. Theft, truancy, running away, graffiti, vandalism, violence, and possession of weapons are common problems associated with gang activity.

They may be afraid to go to school because of threats of violence.

They may use nicknames or refer to their friends by nicknames.

You may notice alcohol and/or drug use.

You notice a change in dress and appearance. They want to wear only specific colors, over-sized clothing, bandannas, baseball caps, etc. Look for gang logos on the inside of coats and hats. They may also use tattoos to identify themselves.

You see a lack of interest or a complete withdrawal from school activities, sports programs, hobbies, etc.

Your children become difficult to communicate with. They become argumentative when you talk about their activities and friends.

Your children may not spend much time at home and may not want to attend family activities.

Causes & Results of Gang ActivityBeing aware of these signs is only a small part of dealing with the problem. Let's look at a few of the causes and results of gang activity, and some preventative and reactive measures.

There are many reasons why kids join gangs. Some kids feel like their home life is unhappy. They feel they don’t get attention or recognition. Discipline, enforcement of rules, communication, and love may be lacking or non-existent. In some homes, communication and conflict resolution comes in the form of arguing and physical violence and you may notice kids mimicking this type of behavior.

Other kids join gangs because of peer pressure and a lack of self-esteem. They get a sense of status, camaraderie, and identity by being involved in a gang. They are easily influenced, and may not be strong enough to say no to activities they know are wrong. Some kids are pressured to join gangs, while others join to get protection from other gangs. The money generated by criminal activity can also be a motivating factor. Having access to large amounts of money can be especially tempting.